CARROTTA
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🔀 Compendium
Grammar
DE
Deutsch — Object order in the Mittelfeld
When a German clause has both a dative and an accusative object, their order in the middle field follows a clear rule that depends on whether each object is a noun or a pronoun.
1
How it works
✓ Rule
With two noun objects, dative comes before accusative: Ich gebe dem Kind das Buch. But a pronoun always moves in front of a noun: Ich gebe es dem Kind, Ich gebe ihm das Buch. When both objects are pronouns, the accusative pronoun comes before the dative: Ich gebe es ihm.
2
Examples
| Combination | Order | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun + noun | Dative before accusative | Ich gebe dem Kind das Buch. |
| Accusative pronoun + noun | Pronoun first | Ich gebe es dem Kind. |
| Dative pronoun + noun | Pronoun first | Ich gebe ihm das Buch. |
| Pronoun + pronoun | Accusative before dative | Ich gebe es ihm. |
3
Good to know
⚠ Note
The pronoun-before-pronoun order is the opposite of the noun order, and this trips up many learners. Say Ich gebe es ihm, not Ich gebe ihm es — with two pronouns the accusative es must precede the dative ihm.